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When to Plant Lettuce in Jefferson Davis Parish, LA

Lettuce is a fast-growing cool-season green available in leaf, romaine, butterhead, and crisphead types. It is the foundation of salads and one of the easiest crops to grow.

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 381 feet, Jefferson Davis Parish receives approximately 61.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Lettuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lettuce will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Jefferson Davis Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7

Jefferson Davis Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (200 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 2 Transplant: Jan 30 🍅 Harvest: Mar 6 – May 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (192 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 20 – May 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 19

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~956 GDD — county provides 6,332 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson Davis Parish, LA

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 โ€“ Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 13
Fall Sowing October 12 Oct 12 โ€“ Oct 26
Harvest March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ May 29

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

30โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

297 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson Davis Parish

Sow seeds directly every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather to delay bolting. Harvest in the morning for crispest leaves.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Celery

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Lettuce Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let plants bolt and flower. Harvest seed heads when fluffy.
Storage Store airtight; viable 6 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Jefferson Davis Parish, LA?

Jefferson Davis Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson Davis Parish, LA?

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jefferson Davis Parish gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Jefferson Davis Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.